Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area Rules
15A NCAC 2E .0501 - .0507

Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Why does the central coastal plain region need water use regulation? Some aquifers in this region are being overused such that they will fail to meet the area's water supply needs in the near future. Regulation is needed to decrease withdrawals from these aquifers to a sustainable rate of use.
  2. How will the Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area (CCPCUA) rules work? They will require water users to cut back on use of these overused aquifers and increase use of other water sources (including alternative aquifers, surface water and other sources) over a sixteen year period.
  3. When will these rules become effective? August 1, 2002.
  4. When are applications for water use permit due? January 28, 2003 -- 180 days after the effective date of the rules
  5. What counties are in the CCPCUA? Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Onslow, Pamlico, Pitt, Washington, Wayne, and Wilson (see map).
  6. What types of water users will be regulated in the CCPCUA? All ground water users using more than 100,000 gallons per day will be required to apply for and obtain a water use permit in order to continue withdrawing. Regulated withdrawals include those from a well, a group of wells operated as a system, or a sump.
  7. What is a group of wells operated as a system? This refers to a water supply system (public or private) using multiple wells linked together with water lines and operated in a coordinated fashion that collectively withdraw more than 100,000 gallons per day.
  8. When must ground water users apply for a permit? Users have 180 days after the effective date of the rule to apply for a permit.
  9. Are there reporting requirements? Water users will need to report water withdrawals and ground water levels quarterly, in March, June, September and December, until they receive their permit. Permit conditions will also require reporting of water use and ground water levels.
  10. Will water conservation plans be required? All water users will have some water conservation requirements [see Rule .0502(d)(5)]. Public water system conservation requirements include water conservation ordinances, leak detection programs, conservation rate structures, plumbing retrofit programs and public education.
  11. Who is affected by the water use reduction requirements? Any regulated water user who withdraws ground water from the Cretaceous aquifer system within zones described in Rule .0503 and illustrated on the CCPCUA Cretaceous Aquifer Zones map (see map). Depending on the zone, the water user will be required to reduce water use from those Cretaceous wells over a sixteen year period by up to 75%. New sustainable water sources will need to be identified and constructed as needed.
  12. How are reductions calculated? The Division of Water Resources will calculate a water user's approved base rate (see #1 in Rule .0507). That rate will be the annual withdrawals from Cretaceous wells during calendar year 1997 or the year extending from August 1, 1999 through July 31, 2000, whichever is larger. Adjustments to this rate may occur through negotiation with the Division. The three phases of 10% or 25% reduction will start from a user's approved base rate.
    13. illustration of the affects of the CCPCUA on a Cretaceous aquifer user in a 25% reduction zone
    In this illustration, the applicant has established their approved base rate (ABR) as their August 1, 1999 through July 31, 2000 annual water use and is located in the Dewatering Zone. In 2008, the first 25% reduction is phased in and demand is met by a combination of 75% of the ABR from the Cretaceous aquifer wells and alternative supplies. Reductions and changes in the levels of use of alternative supplies occur in 2013 and in 2018. In 2018, the permittee has shifted most of their demand to alternative supplies and withdraws a sustainable 25% of the ABR from their Cretaceous wells.

  13. Are surface water users or other ground water users affected? Rule .0505 requires any ground or surface water user of more than 10,000 gallons per day within the CCPCUA to register with the Division.
  14. Who is an intermittent user? Intermittent users are defined by #13 of Rule .0507 and are not affected by the reduction requirements. Intermittent users are those who withdraw water fewer than 60 days per year and will include many agricultural irrigators and fish farms.